Central Trains hopes the posters will reduce attacks on staff

Posters are going up at stations across the Midlands carrying the logo "It Doesn't Make Sense".

Central Trains says its conductors have been assaulted, spat at and verbally abused, and hopes the posters will help to protect staff from such behaviour.

Spokeswoman Rachel Webster said: "Even just verbal abuse can make people feel devalued - people take time off work having had one of these experiences."

Alcohol-related

"Hopefully people will look at these posters and remember that railway workers deserve the same rights as everybody else."

Central Trains says its employees suffer abusive behaviour all year round - but excessive drinking around Christmas makes the problem worse.

Spit kits introduced last year, from which DNA swabs can be taken, have led to a "tremendous reduction" in spitting attacks, and several successful prosecutions, the company says.